Given Name

What happens when your application is rejected before a human being ever sees it?

In this special episode, Dr. Shanae Shantel examines Mobley v. Workday, a case challenging whether a technology vendor can be held accountable when its automated hiring tools allegedly disadvantage applicants based on protected characteristics.

Through the experiences of Derek Mobley, Shanae explores the system beneath the rejection: historical hiring data, algorithmic screening, identity markers, automated decision-making, and the difficulty of proving discrimination when responsibility is divided between an employer and its software provider.

AI did not invent bias. But it may be able to reproduce it faster, more quietly, and at a scale no individual hiring manager ever could.

In this episode, Dr. Eghosa Obaizamomwan-Hamilton (@teach.love on IG) reflects on the meaning of her Nigerian name, "God's timing," and how that meaning has shaped the way she understands both joy and grief. Together, we explore culture, family, naming traditions, sociology, and the stories that names preserve across generations.

From Americanized names to inherited traditions, from sibling relationships to naming her own children, this conversation reminds us that names often carry more than identity. They carry memory, meaning, and legacy.

Extended episode on Patreon.

Amber J. Adams (@amberjadams) joins me for a conversation about names, fashion, family, and the many ways we communicate who we are without saying a word. While my work begins with names and Amber’s begins with fashion, we quickly realized we were asking many of the same questions about identity, expression, and the stories people tell before they’re ever spoken.

Amber reflects on the story behind her name, the close relationship she has with her family, and the influence of her grandmother, whose birthday we celebrate this month. We also discuss her leap into entrepreneurship through Amber in the City, where her passion for fashion and genuine curiosity about people come together.

This episode is a reminder that identity is always speaking. Sometimes we just have to slow down long enough to notice.

Find the full episode and more on Patreon!

Andromeda has never been interested in making her name easier for other people. She doesn’t accept nicknames, she expects people to say it correctly, and she embraces the story that comes with carrying such a distinctive name.

In this episode, we talk about the mystery of who first chose her name, its connection to Greek mythology, and the assumptions people make before they ever meet her. We also explore motherhood, comedy, career success, and her belief that opportunity follows preparation and hard work.

Funny, thoughtful, and empowering, this conversation reminds us that our names are often the first place we learn to advocate for ourselves.

Find more on our Patreon!

You can find the full episode on Patreon!

Eryn's (@_cerelle_) name was built to make people pause. An androgynous first name paired with a racially ambiguous combination of first and last names meant her parents weren't leaving first impressions to chance.

In this episode, Eryn shares the stories behind her first, middle, and last names, including a naming compromise between her parents and the influence of one of her father's favorite artists. We talk about identity, first impressions, family dynamics, and what it means to carry a name that invites curiosity.

We also get into her years in Tae Kwon Do, the story behind her nickname, and the experience of helping name her younger sister. Filled with laughter and reflection, this conversation is a reminder that even the people we've known for years still have stories waiting to be told.

Enjoy this full episode! It's too good to miss!

Kennimarie Bell (@KayBeeJokes) has a name that's hard to forget — and even harder to shorten, though people try.

All one word. No spaces. No hyphen. No M. And still, most people call her Kenni or KB.

In this episode, we start with her name and end up somewhere much bigger: family, comedy, caregiving, health equity, and what it means to carry responsibility for the people you love. Kennimarie is a comedian, an advocate, and someone who somehow makes all of it look effortless — until she tells you what it actually takes.

She also shares something I didn't expect: her name inspired another family to name their daughter Kennimarie. That kind of legacy doesn't come with a roadmap.

Funny, honest, and full of heart. Don't skip this one. Join us on the Patreon!

Depending on who’s calling, she might be Chris, Chrissy, or Christian. Each name represents a different relationship, a different expectation, and sometimes a different version of herself.

In this episode, Chrissy of (@PhillyExperiences) reflects on growing up with a traditionally male first name, the journey to embracing the name she prefers, and the ways names can shape how we move through the world. Together, we discuss identity, family naming traditions, and the subtle social cues embedded in the names people choose to call us.

We also talk about Philadelphia, motherhood, and how her own experiences with naming influenced the way she approached naming her youngest daughter.

This conversation is equal parts insightful, funny, and relatable, reminding us that names often reveal much more than we realize.

To listen to the complete episode please subscribe to the Patreon

Some names make people curious. Christiani is one of them.

In this episode, I sit down with Christiani (@_christianinix_), a New Orleans native, producer, and television and film professional whose name has sparked questions and assumptions for years. From people assuming she’s Italian to navigating spaces where her name stands out, Christiani shares the stories, laughter, and experiences that have accompanied her unique name.

Together, we explore the relationship between names, identity, first impressions, and the ways people try to place us before they truly know us. We also talk about her work in television and film, including her experience working on the Oscar-winning film Sinners and what it felt like to see her name appear in the credits of a project recognized at the highest level of the industry.

This conversation is fun, funny, and full of personality. Christiani brings the kind of energy that lights up a room, reminding us that sometimes a name is just the beginning of the story.

Kyler Nathan IV (@thefourthtyler) comes from four generations of Kylers. In this episode, we talk about lineage, namesakes, masculinity, and the strange intimacy of sharing one name across generations.

As a cognitive science scholar and social scientist, Kyler reflects on identity, memory, and what it means to inherit more than a name.

If you'd like to hear more of this episode visit my Patreon.

Naashon and I ended up having a really meaningful conversation about sickle cell, the stereotypes surrounding it, and the work still being done to support families and communities affected by it. I wanted to share part of that conversation publicly because it felt important. 🤎

More bonus conversations are available on Patreon.